41 stingray victims treated at La Jolla beaches

San Diego lifeguards and paramedics treated 41 people who were injured by stingray barbs Wednesday, primarily at La Jolla Shores, lifeguard Lt. John Everhart said.

That number of injuries is higher than normal, but not unusual, as stingrays are common in the area this time of year, Everhart said.

At least one person was taken to a hospital with an injury that was not life-threatening, he said.

A makeshift triage area was set up at La Jolla Shores, where people soaked injured feet in buckets of hot water. Soaking the injured limb in hot water helps to break up the protein toxin and alleviate the intense pain.

Beachgoers are urged to be cautious and do the stingray shuffle: When you enter the water, shuffle your feet along the bottom to announce your presence.